Proverbs 27:16 (BSB)

restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.

From Proverbs 27. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 27:16

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 27:15-16: Here, as before, Solomon laments the case of him that has a peevish passionate wife, that is continually chiding, and making herself and all about her uneasy. 1. It is a grievance that there is no avoiding, for it is like a continual dropping in a very rainy day.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 27:16: Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof,.... That takes care of a fig tree, either his own or another's, planted in his garden or vineyard; see Luk 13:6; who cultivates it, digs about and dungs it, and prunes it, and does everything necessary to it; when it brings forth fruit, and that is ripe and fit to eat, he eats of it...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 27:16: hideth--or, "restrains" (that is, tries to do it); is as fruitless an effort, as that of holding the wind. the ointment of his right hand--the organ of power (Psa 17:7; Psa 18:35). His right hand endeavors to repress perfume, but vainly. Some prefer: "His right hand comes on oil," that is, "cannot take hold." Such a woman cannot be tamed.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 27:16: Pro 27:16 This verse stands in close connection with the preceding, for it speaks of the contentious woman: He that restraineth her restraineth the wind, And oil meeteth his right hand. The connection of the plur. subject צפניה = quicunque eam cohibet, with a sing.